Tal Engler
“Exercise physiology teaches you the base of every subject and exposes you to many different fields, which allows you to have many options when you graduate.”
For junior exercise physiology student Tal Engler, succeeding in college and at the range is all about balance.
In addition to serving as the Great American Rifle Championship’s first-place smallbore final winner, she’s a member of the WVU Rifle team, and the Pre-Physical Therapy Club.
So how does she manage balancing being an athlete and a full-time student?
For Engler, it’s keeping the eye on the prize – in this case, success both in and out of the classroom.
“There are certainly some difficulties, but I don’t use those difficulties as excuses,” she said. “I use my challenges to push myself to success.”
Having such a busy schedule, Engler values being in a flexible major because it allows her to make the most of her time at the university.
“I chose exercise physiology as my undergraduate major because it is very flexible,” said Engler. “Exercise physiology teaches you the base of every subject and exposes you to many different fields, which allows you to have many options when you graduate.”
Despite all her responsibilities, Engler makes it a priority to remain focused and to keep her mental health on track, “The biggest way I manage is by talking to my professors and coaches. They always make sure I have what I need to succeed.”
Engler’s long-term goal is to be a physical therapist because she enjoys physical activity and patient care. For now, she says she has enjoyed her time at the university and hopes to get more hands-on experience in her field.
“I have an aquatic therapy emphasis that has allowed me to practice patient care from very early on in my studies,” said Engler. “I’ve also gotten my CPR certification and learned a lot about therapeutic care while working alongside my professors, which has been great.”
Engler says she is looking forward to continuing her academic and athletic career at the university in the upcoming year.